Hepatic stellate cells

Abstract

The hepatic stellate cells were first described by Kupffer in 1876, using the gold chloride method. At that time these cells were thought to be perisinusoidal connective tissue cells. However, a misconception by himself in 1898 led to a deep-rooted confusions in liver histology. I rediscovered the original stellate cells by the use of Kupffer's gold method in 1971. These cells are now known as the vitamin A-storing cells which locate perisinusoidally and produce collagens and other extracellular substances. Three-dimensional entire forms of the stellate cells are effectively demonstrated by the Golgi's silver method. Their dendritic processes wrap the endothelium of sinusoids. Numerous spine-like microprojections of the stellate cells make spotty contacts with hepatocytes. The space of Disse is the space between the endothelial cell-stellate cell complex and the hepatocytes, being bridged by the spines. Intralobular heterogeneity of these cells is examined in relation to the microcirculation and the fibrogenesis.